Wednesday, September 28, 2016

My niece and I have been going for [LONG] walks in the mornings. We came across this group of Armadillos while out one morning, and boy were we surprised. I was so in the zone that I didn't notice until my niece jumped back. I thought Armadillos only came out at night, but here sat a group of 4 scavenger-ing through the grass. They were a little scary looking because of the armor they wear, but really cute when they were hopping around - they kind of reminded me of a bunny. Very neat.Happy Wednesday! Check Out Other Living the Dream Wednesday Posts!

Monday, September 26, 2016

I've had a strange year so far, and to be honest, completely forgot I signed up for this stashdown, but I had so much fun being a part of this last year - when I shared my Whimsical Sashay Cowl- so when I got a reminder email recently, I got to town on my design. To find out more about The Holiday Stashdown 2016 and get a complete schedule of pattern releases, check out myHoliday Stashdown CAL Announcement.Materials: - Less than 106 yards of Super Bulky Yarn - I used less than one skein of Lion Brand'sWool Ease Thick n Quickin the Barley colorway - M13/9mm Crochet Hook - Tapestry Needle for Sewing and Weaving in EndsMaterial Notes: I was given this yarn as a gift from my boyfriend's mom. It had been sitting in my car waiting to be used when I thought about this cowl. Dig through your stash and find some super bulky yarn you have been waiting to use, or wanting to destash. At first, I thought about using some of my Sashay Yarn as I had done for the Whimsical Sashay Cowl (and still might), but I also think Bernat's Blanket Yarn would work, two strands of worsted weight yarn held together or even three strands of lightweight yarn held together - get creative!Time Spent:I had my cowl ready to wear in about an hour.Measurements:This cowl measures 12" wide laying flat, by 6 1/8" tall.Gauge: 8 SC by 8 Rows = 4" by 4 1/4"Abbreviations: DC - Double CrochetPattern Notes: The star stitch can be a tough one. To be honest, I am not even really sure where I picked it up from anymore, but recently I decided to use it in a different cowl I was working on and fell in love with the idea all over again. I have been working some other projects with it, and seem to be having slight difficulty keeping my ends straight - I tend to get a diagonal thing going on on both sides, which is why I chose to work this flat and sew together. My seam still came out a little sideways, but with the whipstitch, it's less noticable. If you have any tips on working this stitch pattern - I'd love to hear them :) Drop me a line below!

I always work the beginning star stitch as a 5 leg star (described in the first line of the pattern below) because I find a 6 leg star to be to tall for the rest of the row.

Not depicted in the pattern below: At the end of star stitch rows, I omit the last chain 1, and loosely work a single crochet into the last stitch instead to avoid an uneven side. This pattern calls for a row of double crochet following a star stitch row, but you could turn your piece and work another row of star stitches back across. I don't do this because I find that the pattern isn't noticable from the right side of the piece, and it uses more yarn so I just work a solid stitch across. Alternatively, you could work a row of single or half double crochet's too.

Pattern: Chain 61. Insert hook into the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th chains, picking up the loops on the hook, yarn over, and pull through all 5 loops, chain 1 to secure. (Working into the side of the star just created, insert hook into the space created by the chain 1, as well as into the side of the previous star stitch, into the same stitch as the previous star stitch and into the next two stitches picking up all the loops on your hook, yarn over, and pull through all 6 loops, chain 1 to secure) 28 times. (29 Stars)R2: Chain 2, turn. DC into the 2nd stitch, and each stitch across. (58 DC)R3: Chain 3. Insert hook into the 2nd and 3rd chains, as well as the 1st, and 2nd stitches, picking up the loops on the hook, yarn over, and pull through all 5 loops, chain 1 to secure. (Working into the side of the star just created, insert hook into the space created by the chain 1, as well as into the side of the previous star stitch, into the same stitch as the previous star stitch and into the next two stitches picking up all the loops on your hook, yarn over, and pull through all 6 loops, chain 1 to secure) 28 times. (29 Stars)R4 - 7: Repeat Rounds 2 & 3, 2x.Fasten Off with a long tail for sewing. Thread the end into the tapestry needle, fold the piece so the right sides are facing and whipstitch the ends together. Alternatively, you can wait to fasten off, chain 1, turn and slip stitch the pieces together. A slip stitch join will create a bulky seam though.Weave in remaining end/s.This is only 1 of 24 free crochet patterns for holiday gift and decoration projects so make sure to stop by the Holiday Stashdown CAL 2016 Announcement page to get the full schedule and link to the other free crochet patterns!Don't forget to upload your photo/s and enter the giveaway here.

A little tough to design and photograph cold weather projects when it's 98 degrees out! But I pushed through ;)

Please feel free to make and sell your own Barley Star Stitch Cowl using this pattern, but please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern, and DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, link to it instead.*If you would like a PDF version of this post, you may get one through my EyeLoveKnots Etsy Shop or EyeLoveKnots Craftsy Shop for a small fee. This fee is to compensate for the view/s lost once you no longer need to return to the blog for the information, as you will have your own copy. Plus! It helps fund supplies for new projects to share with you!Shop EyeLoveKnots Etsy -Barley Star Stitch Cowl;or EyeLoveKnots Craftsy - Barley Star Stitch Cowl.With so many size, yarn type and color options, I would love to see them! Please share your photos on my EyeLoveKnots Facebookpage, or our latest Yarn Fanatic Party Link Up!Share your version of this cowl on Ravelry - Barley Star Stitch Cowl. Check out the EyeLoveKnots Ravelry page to keep track of all your EyeLoveKnots favorites in your que, and share your WIPS and finished projects!Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin!

Don't Crochet but Interested in Purchasing a Star Stitch Cowl?

You can check out EyeLoveKnots on Etsy to see what I have available! Use the search box to type in what you have in mind, or feel free to send me a message with your custom request. I am happy to make in any custom size and/or color. View color options here: Wool Ease Thick n Quick.Adsense:

I've had a strange year so far, and to be honest, completely forgot I signed up for this stashdown, but I had so much fun being a part of this last year - when I shared my Whimsical Sashay Cowl - so when I got a reminder email recently, I got to town on my design. Before I share my newest design, here's a little about The Holiday Stashdown 2016...I’m excited to be joining the Holiday Stashdown Crochet-a-long! I’ve teamed up with 18 other crochet designers to share 24 free crochet patterns for holiday gift and decoration projects with you!

Each pattern will be a one-skein project, or a stashbuster/scrappy project, so you can work from your own existing yarn stash to make a great holiday gift. (If you’d like to go ahead and buy some yarn just for the project, that’s ok, too! We love yarn as much as you do!)

HOW TO JOIN IN THE HOLIDAY STASHDOWN CAL

Every Monday from January through August, a new crochet pattern will be posted on one of our 24 blogs. Starting in September, a new crochet pattern will be shared every Monday through December 19th, 2016!

You can join in by crocheting each of the patterns as you have time.

Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #HolidayStashdownCAL2016 on all social media.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

This post has been sitting in my inbox since July of 2014 - oh man! My template is a little different now, but all still good info :)Back Then: One of the projects that has been sticking out in my mind is the Autumn Fall Scarf by Erika and Monika Simmons - The Double Stitch Twins. I went out and purchased some Autumn yarn to try my hand at it but didn't have much luck once I started. The open-ness of the triangles didn't feel as sturdy as I would have liked it to be so I frogged it, removed the scarf from my Yarn Reviews page and placed it on my Pin-Didnt board. It is a beautiful scarf - just not what I was looking for.Still, I had this beautiful warm, Autumn colored yarn I had purchased for the project. What to do with it...Then - BAM! Hit me - Corina from Stitch11's Granny Slouch Hat and my Granny Square Scarf.

I've used Corina's Granny Slouch Hat pattern before in my Mixed Berries Mommy and Me set. I really liked how easy the pattern was to follow and how quickly the hat worked up.In my first go 'round, I used Homespun yarn. The Homespun yarn itself is a little bit more difficult to work with taking about two hours to work up. This time, I used Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn in Autumn Stripes and worked up a little quicker - in about an hour and a half. I used about half a ball of yarn.This hat has a finished circumference of about 20" and will stretch a little to fit a range of sizes.

This Granny Square Scarf first made it's debut back March of 2014 in the Pink Camo colorway. It would look great in any colorway though, and was perfect for this fun autumn set. It uses one skein of yarn and can easily be made into an infinity scarf if you desire that look but simply sewing the ends together.

Hope you enjoyed my autumn slouch and scarf set! What accessories are on your list for this fall season?

With so many size, yarn type and color options, I would love to see them! Please share your photos on my EyeLoveKnots Facebookpage, or our latest Yarn Fanatic Party Link Up!Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin!

Don't Crochet but Interested in Purchasing a Granny Square Slouch or Scarf?

You can check out EyeLoveKnots on Etsy to see what I have available! Use the search box to type in what you have in mind, or feel free to send me a message with your custom request. I am happy to make in any custom size and/or color. View color options here: I Love This Yarn. Adsense:

Monday, September 19, 2016

Welcome to the 59th Yarn Fanatic Link Party (3rd week), alongside Rachel from The Philosopher's Wife.If you are a regular follower of EyeLoveKnots, you know that I have been on a break for the last two months and I want to thank everyone for all of the support I received with this much needed break! It was truly overwhelming, and makes me appreciate this community a whole lot more.I am back now, and have some great projects lined up for you beginning September 22nd - the first day of fall! Until then (and after), I will be here sharing the Yarn Parties with you on Monday afternoons.I have not been completely quiet since my last post - I have still been working my contributions for The Stitchin Mommy. Find them below, alongside the other projects I have shared since my post about the Yarn Fanatic Party taking the summer off.

Have you tried Lion Brand's Heartland Yarn yet? It's been out for a while now. It's a beautiful yarn collection with colorways inspired by nature. It's a soft, 100% acrylic yarn. I have worked with it a few times, and found that it wears and washes well and keeps it's soft feel.

This month's giveaway is sponsored by Lion Brand. One lucky winner will receive four skeins of Heartland yarn.

a Rafflecopter giveawayMust be 18 Years or Older to enter. US only. Void where prohibited. Winner has 48 hours to respond to notification, or another winner will be chosen. Social media not affiliated with this giveaway. Lion Brand Yarns is responsible for prize fulfillment, not The Philosopher's Wife nor EyeLoveKnots.

Call for Sponsors!

Are you a pattern designer - Crochet, knit, plastic canvas, embroidery, latch hook, pom pom crafts, and other yarny crafts... Or do you design yarn related graphics, shirts, buttons, printables, tote bags? Maybe you are a yarn dyer? Or perhaps you have a really large yarn stash and you are looking to do a de-stashing of them? We are in need of giveaway sponsors for the Yarn Fanatic Party! If you are interested in teaming up with Rachel of The Philosopher's Wife and I to sponsor a giveaway at one of our parties, PLEASE contact either Rachel or I.

Join the Party!

The Yarn Fanatic Party will begin every Monday afternoon, and run through Sunday night. You have all week and weekend to post your fantastic yarn related projects!

Please share projects that are family friendly, and YARN RELATED; ie Crochet, Knit, with an extension to include Cross Stitch, Needlepoint on Plastic Canvas and Embroidery.Also make sure you are linking up to your blog post, and just just your blog's home page.

We encourage you to:

*Become a Follower of the blog where you linked up. Following both is also greatly appreciated!

Features will be chosen weekly. By linking up, you give us permission to feature your item.*If you don't have a blog, you can still share with us by creating a Free Flickr Account - powered by Yahoo. Add your projects there, and then come back here with the link for the project.*Link ups cannot be to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where patterns are sold. You can link to blog posts, Flickr or Facebook pages, Pins, etc that are directed towards it, but can't directly link to it. To be clearer though, Raverly pages of finished projects are okay to share. Sorry for the inconvenience! That's per InLinkz guidelines. Thanks!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Welcome to the 59th Yarn Fanatic Link Party, alongside Rachel from The Philosopher's Wife.If you are a regular follower of EyeLoveKnots, you know that I have been on a break for the last two months and I want to thank everyone for all of the support I received with this much needed break! It was truly overwhelming, and makes me appreciate this community a whole lot more.I am back now, and have some great projects lined up for you beginning September 22nd - the first day of fall! Until then (and after), I will be here sharing the Yarn Parties with you on Monday afternoons.I have not been completely quiet since my last post - I have still been working my contributions for The Stitchin Mommy. Find them below, alongside the other projects I have shared since my post about the Yarn Fanatic Party taking the summer off.

We had some awesome projects shared with us at our last yarn party - Yarn Fanatic Party #58 - make sure to stop by, look around and share some love and feedback with your fellow yarn fanatics.This month's giveaway is still under construction. Make sure to check back in, or leave a comment and I will notify you once it goes live.

Call for Sponsors!

Are you a pattern designer - Crochet, knit, plastic canvas, embroidery, latch hook, pom pom crafts, and other yarny crafts... Or do you design yarn related graphics, shirts, buttons, printables, tote bags? Maybe you are a yarn dyer? Or perhaps you have a really large yarn stash and you are looking to do a de-stashing of them? We are in need of giveaway sponsors for the Yarn Fanatic Party! If you are interested in teaming up with Rachel of The Philosopher's Wife and I to sponsor a giveaway at one of our parties, PLEASE contact either Rachel or I.

Join the Party!

The Yarn Fanatic Party will begin every Monday afternoon, and run through Sunday night. You have all week and weekend to post your fantastic yarn related projects!

Please share projects that are family friendly, and YARN RELATED; ie Crochet, Knit, with an extension to include Cross Stitch, Needlepoint on Plastic Canvas and Embroidery.Also make sure you are linking up to your blog post, and just just your blog's home page.

We encourage you to:

*Become a Follower of the blog where you linked up. Following both is also greatly appreciated!

Features will be chosen weekly. By linking up, you give us permission to feature your item.*If you don't have a blog, you can still share with us by creating a Free Flickr Account - powered by Yahoo. Add your projects there, and then come back here with the link for the project.*Link ups cannot be to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where patterns are sold. You can link to blog posts, Flickr or Facebook pages, Pins, etc that are directed towards it, but can't directly link to it. To be clearer though, Raverly pages of finished projects are okay to share. Sorry for the inconvenience! That's per InLinkz guidelines. Thanks!

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My Whirlpool Coin Purse can be found in February 2018, Issue 41 of the Pattern Pack Pro. This issue features five coin purses! If you don't already subscribe to the Pattern Pack Pro, it's a great monthly crochet magazine that focuses specifically on a type of project to help build your repertoire. Click this image to subscribe now - this contains an affiliate link, meaning if you subscribe using it, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, PLUS! You get a discount by subscribing through my link.

Hello There!

Confession - I am a craft, coffee and cat addict! I love to crochet, make my own jewelry, make cards and invitations, hand write letters, paint, draw, do my nails, hang out on Pinterest, visit with other bloggers, share projects, bake, play with my cat Shiloh... The list goes on and on! Pleasure to meet you, and thanks for joining the journey! Craftedly Yours, Alexandra.

Sharing Policy

I love when you share my projects and recipes! But please be respectful.

Do not copy and paste my posts anywhere, rather you should link to them.

Do not sell my patterns or posts!

You may use one photo with link back when sharing my photos.

Some of my photos are not intended to be shared outside of the blog post, and that is why I have disabled the pinning option within them. These are mostly photos of my family, or the process of working up a project. Please be respectful and do not share these photos without permission from me.

Feel free to sell items made from my patterns and tutorials. Designer credit and a link back is very much appreciated, but not required.

I would love to see your work! Feel free to post to my Facebook page, Facebook.com/EyeLoveKnots.